How relevant will what our children learn today, be for them tomorrow?

Well, we’ve seen technology change massively in even a few years. I know people think I’m very old – okay, I’m pretty old- but in my lifetime things have changed so much. It’s actually a wonder to consider how far things have moved on. I didn’t even have a computer at university and we only had books- imagine that! No Google. What a nightmare! 

The future is uncertain, but what is certain is that technology will continue to evolve and change rapidly. In the future, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will become increasingly ubiquitous in the areas of problem-solving, code-writing, and other cognitive activities. You need a letter writing? An app will do it for you. An essay written? AI will do it. A piece of code written? No problem- AI is there. It is likely that human strengths will focus on the intangibles, such as entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills – skills that cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence. 

What advantage does AI have over the human brain? Well, it has many advantages, but mostly a computer will try many times to find the correct answer or a better version, without feeling like a failure and without giving up. In effect, a computer has an incredible self-confidence. We need to make sure our children have this same self-confidence and belief in their own abilities when it comes to problem solving. 

But actually the problems we solve in the future won’t be so much answering an equation or a question- AI will do it more quickly and more accurately; but it will be our ability to see what the question is that needs solving.

It is vital that our children develop self-confidence, understanding that learning from mistakes is essential for growth -in the same way AI does.

Furthermore, in order for our children to thrive in the future, education should priorities a holistic approach that empowers and fosters relationships, instead of focusing exclusively on the standardized curriculum. This will equip our children with the tools they need to succeed and have a positive impact on a constantly changing future. 

The focus should not be on a curriculum, and stressing about fulfilling everything within it- a curriculum will always be limited. A curriculum becomes hoops at various points to jump through – hoops to just prove how high you can jump. 

What our children need is the growth of something far more complex- the essence of who they are and loving who they are. We are human. We are unique in our talents and skills. We are fantastic even in our flaws. We cannot be replaced.